This is one of those targets I like to revisit each year to see if I can do a little better. While the Explore Scientific FCD 100 ED 127's optics are great for the price, I've always been disappointed with the various field flattener/reducers I've tried. For this year's attempt, I used a new field flattener/reducer from Teleskop Service, which is designed for their 130MM APO. It worked surprisingly well. The improvement in sharpness and overall field flatness was apparent to me. For those who own an ES ED127, you might want to look into this model of flattener: TTS-Optics 0.8x Image Field Corrector 2.5" for Photoline Apo 130 mm f/7
FYI: I initially purchased an adapter ring from Teleskop Service to thread their reducer/flattener into my MoonLite focuser's 2.5" drawtube (female M68 x 1 thread). Although I was assured by Teleskop Service, their adapter ring would work, it did not thread in more that 1/4 turn before binding up. Apparently, M68 X1 male threads on the TS adapter ring did not match. I ended up purchasing an adapter ring from Stellarvue that worked perfectly. Link:
https://www.stellarvue.com/sfa-m68f63-005-adapter-male-68mm-to-female-63mm/
Comments